Swimmers Ear

Minor ear irritation such as mild itchiness or a blockage may be trivial issues that do not need to be treated very seriously. At times however such seemingly mundane conditions can be persistent and increase in severity making them a lot more bothersome. There are various types of infections that could affect the ear, with some being minor or mild, while others may be more threatening. No matter what the condition, a ear problem should never be ignored or neglected. In most cases where there is a serious ear infection it is because a mild infection or ear condition was neglected or treated with ineffective half measures. This can be quite serious as there can often be permanent damage to the auditory senses. Taking prompt action is therefore essential. Swimmer’s ear is not a very serious condition, but should not be treated lightly. When dealing with swimmers ear self treatment at home can be quite helpful and may even solve the problem, but if the condition persists it should be brought to the attention of a doctor.

Swimmer’s ear or otitis externa is an infection or inflammation of the external ear and ear canal. Swimmer’s ear is usually caused due to excess exposure to water. When the ear drenches wet in water, moisture penetrates the water-resistant layer and the skin becomes soft and wrinkled when they remain in water for a long period of time. Bacteria and fungi are able to exist on the surface of such water exposed skin without any harmful effects. But if there is a break in the skin's normal barrier, these bacteria from contaminated water or objects placed in the ear can easily slip inside the skin, causing swimmer’s ear.

Swimmer’s ear can affect both men and women of any age group but it does tend to develop a lot more frequently among children and teenagers. Our ears serve us best when dry and excessive exposure to moisture is the main cause of the problem, which is why it is more likely to develop among those who spend a lot of time in water. Excess moisture could cause irritation and breakage of skin the ear canal, inviting bacterial or fungal infections. Swimmer’s ear is however not restricted to those of us who spend a lot of time in water but can occur with a breakage of the skin, no matter what the cause is. Swimmers ear is however quite easy to recognize and treatment for swimmers ear can in most cases be provided at home with some simple home remedies for swimmers ear.

If the condition is causing you a great deal of discomfort and irritation or pain it may be wise to seek medical attention. This said it may not always be possible to get to a doctor or clinic immediately and until you can get the ear seen to, it may help to use a earache home remedy to get some relief from the symptoms of swimmers ear. If you are unsure about what you can do you could simply use some over the counter ear drops to treat the condition and also for some earache relief. There are also plenty of natural remedies that you can prepare at home. Garlic is the most commonly used ingredient in any swimmers ear home remedy recipe and you could try using garlic oils just as you would use ear drops. A warm compress may also offer some relief.

Symptoms for Swimmers Ear

Swimmers Ear Signs and Symptoms

Here is a compilation of the various signs and symptoms that could mean the pain in the ear is swimmers ear:

• Itchy or painful ear

• Sensitivity to ear movement

• Decreased hearing

• Earwax appearing soft and white

• Yellowish or milky discharge from the ear

• Sudden or sharp pain in the ear

• Noises felt inside the ear, such as a buzzing or humming sound

• Swelling in the ear or lymph nodes on the neck

• Feeling stuffy or heaviness in the ear.

• Outer ear skin appears sore and scaly

Causes for Swimmers Ear

Some Known Causes for Swimmers Ear

School going children, adolescents and adults are at greater risk than toddlers in case of swimmers ear. Children suffering from eczema and seborrhea stand a far greater chance in contracting swimmers ear. There could also be a collection of water in the ear after swimming which could lead to swimmers ear if proper care is not taken. Some of the known causes that lead to swimmers ear include:

• Contaminated water facilitates fungi or bacteria to the ear canal.

• Cleaning the ears using sharp fingernails, cotton buds or other objects may cause a tear in delicate tissues of the ear canal which could lead to infection.

• Hairsprays, shampoos, hair dyes and other chemical irritants may make way inside the ear canal and cause irritation.

• Middle ear infection can trigger an infection or inflammation in the ear canal.

• Diabetes could make earwax too alkaline inviting bacteria and other infections.

• Folliculitis or an infected hair follicle within the ear canal can trigger a infection in the ear.

• If the ear canals are narrower than normal, the water can't drain as effectively causing water retention in the ear.

• Swimming, bathing or living in a moist environment also causes moisture in the ear.

• Exposure to any infectious organism from swimming in polluted water is another known cause of swimmers ear.

Home Remedies for Swimmers Ear

Home Remedies to Ease Ear Pain

There are a lot of things that could be done when trying to figure out how to get rid of swimmers ear at home. Swimmers ear or Otitis externa can be treated at home quite effectively. One could use a variety of home remedies for swimmers ear that can offer some effective swimmers ear pain relief. A swimmers ear infection that causes severe swimmers ear pain or does not respond to any home remedy for swimmers ear should be referred to a doctor immediately. A swimmers ear infection may, in some cases need to be treated with antibiotic or anti fungal ear drops, but in most cases home remedies for swimmers ear pain will suffice. You also need to ensure high levels of hygiene. It would be wise to learn how to treat swimmers ear at home and how to cure swimmers ear, particularly if you spend a lot of time exposed to water. Here is a compilation of trusted home remedies that can ease the pain in the ear:

• Primary steps towards reducing pain include cleaning and draining the ear canal. A beneficial step towards cleaning is to rub alcohol, as alcohol not only kills germs but also causes evaporation of water. This swimmers ear home remedy option also be used as a preventive measure and a safeguard against swimmers ear infections whenever you spend extended periods of time in water.

• Mild swimmer’s ear can also be treated with a few drops of white vinegar placed in both ears. Put a few drops of vinegar in one ear and leave it in the ear canal for about five minutes before turning the ear down in order to drain the solution. It is advisable to repeat this twice a day for three days. It is most effective against any fungal or bacterial infection as the acetic acid inhibits the growth of bacteria.

• When water clogs the ears, put three or four drops apple cider vinegar, diluted in equal parts with water or alcohol, after showering or swimming. This helps prevent future infection.

• Take some baby oil, heat it and as it warms pour into the ears with the help of a ear dropper and place a cotton ball to avoid draining the oil.

• Use the hair dryer to evaporate the water molecules in the ear. Set it to warm and sway it across the ear as it blow dries your ear. The warm air will enable evaporation of any trapped water. Make sure that you do this very cautiously or you could end up with not just a swimmers ear infection, but severe burns as well.

• Mix equal parts water, peroxide, and white vinegar. Use an eye dropper to put a few drops in ear. Let it stay in the ear for a minute. Tip head to let the solution drain. Put a piece of cotton in ear. It is advisable to do this before bedtime.

• Although very simplistic, one of the most popular and effective home remedies for swimmers ear pain would be the application of warm compresses. This could serve as a useful swimmers ear home remedy for some much needed swimmers ear pain relief, particularly when you do not have access to any medical products. Place a towel between the heating pad or flask and your ear and only apply heat for limited periods of time.

• According to some enthusiasts of natural medicine you could also use rubbing alcohol as an effective swimmers ear home remedy. Simply soak a cotton swab or cotton ball in the solution and gently swab your ear canal. The stress here should be on gentle application as vigorous rubbing can simply further irritate your ear and aggravate the pain instead of offering some much needed simmers ear pain relief.

• Telling a swimmer not to swim is like telling you not to breathe and is really quite pointless. Nevertheless it would be best to avoid swimming whilst you suffer the condition, but if this is not an option, at least try and minimize your exposure to water. Try and swim on the surface as this does reduce the amount of moisture that your ear is exposed to. Using ear plugs that are made from wax or silicon would however be the best option and would also help those who swim regularly to prevent any risk of a swimmers ear infection. Ear plugs are the most effective remedy for swimmers ear prevention.

• Another one of the popular home remedies for swimmers ear pain requires the use of a saline solution. Simply rinse out your ear with a saline solution using a dropper.

• Hydrogen peroxide is also believed to be quite useful in treating ear infections and could help as a swimmers ear home remedy. However, while treating swimmers ear hydrogen peroxide may not always be the first choice with doctors as it is also known to kill healthy cells in addition to germs. Therefore it is always advisable to get a doctors opinion before using this home remedy.

• Another home remedy for swimmers ear requires just a sock and some salt. Fill the sock with salt and warm it in a microwave. Lay your head down on the sock, with the affected ear against it to help drain out the fluid.

• Garlic is highly valued amongst practitioners of traditional and natural medicine and with good reason. Garlic contains a compound called allicin. This is what gives garlic its powerful antibacterial properties, making it useful for a variety of remedies. You could either use store purchased garlic oil to rinse out your ear, or prepare your own at home.

• Instead of using painkillers and other drugs, swimmers ear home treatment can be done by simply applying a heating wrap or a wrapped hot water bottle over the infected ear.

• 2-3 drops of mullein flower oil or tea tree oil can also be inserted into the ears to cure and prevent swimmers ear. Both these oils have excellent anti-microbial properties which help in fight ear infections and soothing the irritation and inflammation.

• Another good way to prevent swimmers ear is by regularly taking supplements of herbs like golden seal, cat’s claw, Echinacea and chlorella which help in boosting the body’s immune system thereby preventing ear and other infections. This remedy is especially beneficial for regular swimmers.

• A paste of onion powder can also be applied externally around the ear while suffering from this condition.

• Lavender essential oil diluted in carrier oil can be rubbed around the infected ear as well as the jaw line to help excess liquid to drain out from the ear. These oils however should not be directly inserted into the ear.

• A ear drop blend can be prepared by combining a drop each of lavender oil and tea tree oil, 3 drops of roman chamomile and one tablespoon of sweet almond oil. A few drops of this blend can be put on a cotton ball and then applied on the outer ear and canal for a few times everyday. This is another effective swimmers ear home treatment which guarantees good results in a few days time.

• Herbs like St. John’s wort and astragalus are also beneficial remedies for swimmers ear.

Diet for Swimmers Ear

Foods Relieve Swimmers Ear

One can have a regular and nutritious meal. Nothing in particular in terms of food can help relieve the effects of swimmers ear. Following a healthy balanced diet could however help improve your general health and strengthen your body, better equipping it to fight off an infection. Include plenty of leafy vegetables and fresh fruits in your diet, particularly vitamin C rich foods like lemons and oranges.

Suggestions for Swimmers Ear

Basic Suggestions to Avoid Relapse of Swimmers Ear

There are some basic steps one can take to avoid the relapse of swimmers ears.

Here are some such suggestions:

• Apply some oil before getting in the pool to avoid water flushing out the protective oils in the ear.

• After a swim turn the head and gently pull the ear in different directions to drain water out of the ear. Try drying the opening of the ear very carefully with the help of a towel.

• Try and make it a point to dry out your ears thoroughly after swimming and bathing. You can use rubbing alcohol or a hair dryer on low heat.

• Avoid swimming in dirty or polluted waters and even if you unknowingly do so, be safe and wear earplugs when you swim.

• Avoid poking the ear with fingers or sharp objects. A mild case of swimmers ear that would resolve easily under normal circumstances can be severely exacerbated by this action.

It would be wise to invest in a pair of ear plugs and a bathing cap if you are a regular swimmer. Using ear plugs made from wax or silicone or even latex bathing caps that cover the ears can help to keep water out, protecting you against a possible swimmers ear infection. Although you may prefer to rely on a swimmers ear home remedy to treat the infection rather than use a medicated product, at times home remedies for swimmers ear may not suffice and in such cases it is imperative that you seek medical help without any further delay. Observe the progress with treatment and look out for any of these warning signs:

• If after three days of treatment with home remedies for swimmers ear there is persistent ear pain or a worsening of the condition.

• Swelling or inflammation of the ear canal or the external ear and the skin around the area.

• Foul odor from the ear • If there is a fever or dizziness accompanying the symptoms.